Does insurance cover umbilical hernia repair? If so, around how much extra would a mini Tummy Tuck cost at the same time?

I just repair the hernias at the same time at no cost to you, as the insurance reimbursement is pathetic and they will make you pay the deductible.Kenneth Hughes, MDLos Angeles, CA

 Umbilical hernia repair is often covered by health insurance companies; for accurate/relevant information, you will do best checking with your specific insurance company/policy. When it comes to cost of surgery, there may be many “variables” involved. The specific surgeon's credentials/experience level (or lack thereof), the specific geographic area you are looking at, the different operations available, the location of the procedure ( quality of surgery facility), type/quality of anesthesia provider… are some of the potential variables involved. You will find some average costs of surgery listed on this website and on individual plastic surgeons' websites (including attached link) as well.
In regards to outcome of the planned procedure, more important than costs of the procedures will be careful selection of your plastic surgeon. I would suggest starting with the American Society of Plastic Surgery and/or the Aesthetic Society of Plastic Surgery to obtain a list of well experienced board-certified plastic surgeons.
Then, I would suggest you visit a few surgeons whose practices concentrate on aesthetic surgery. Ask to see lots of examples of their work and preferably speak/see patients who have had similar procedures done.
Be very careful with your decision-making. You will find, while doing your due diligence, that there are many different “specialties” who will offer their services to you; again, I strongly recommend you concentrate on surgeons certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
Again, I would also suggest that you do not base your selection of plastic surgeon primarily on costs of surgery; keep in mind that revisionary surgery may be more costly in many ways.  Best wishes.

The hernia repair is normally covered by most insurance companies.  The cost of the mini tummy tuck would depend on the area of the country, the experience of the provider and the facility in which the procedure is performed.  Ideally, the tummy tuck price should be slightly lower since the facility fee and the anesthesia fee would already be covered by the insurance for the hernia repair.Best of luck,